South Africa: Individual Quatations On Safa Development Agency Launch

Individual Quatations on SAFA Development Agency Launch 1. "Football is the barometer of the health of the South African Nation Brand. We need to have winning teams and to achieve this we have to have the systems and processes in place to develop the talent pipeline. The establishment of the SAFA Development Agency and the deployment of SAFA CEO Dr Robin Petersen to drive it, gives a great degree of reassurance to corporate South Africa whom I hope will back this initiative all the way."

Bobby Godsell (Chair, BLSA and Patron of the SAFA Development Trust)

2. "SAB have been involved with South African football for many years. The establishment of the Development Agency takes football development to a new level and provides an excellent vehicle for SAB to strengthen its relationship with the game."

Vincent Maphai (Head of Corporate Affairs, SAB Millar SA and Patron of the SAFA Development Trust)

3. "The Department of Sport and Recreation has recently published the National Sports Plan, and we are delighted that SAFA has taken the lead in developing its own Technical Master Plan that aligns with our initiative. The launch of the Development Agency by SAFA, and the deployment of Dr Petersen to head it up, gives us hope that there will be focused implementation from the country's biggest sporting code. Also be advised that the Department will be hosting a MINMEC on Tuesday, 11th December 2012 and that SAFA will be invited to do a 15 Minute presentation on the Technical Master Plan."

The Right Honourable Gert Oosthuizen, Deputy Minister of Sports and Recreation

4. "The Mapungubwe Institute (MISTRA) has just released a research report on the development of football in South Africa, which resonates with SAFA's endeavours. The road to a South African football renaissance will be protracted; because for consistent and enduring excellence, there is no instant gratification - glory comes with plodding industry."

Joel Netshitenze (Chair of the Mapungubwe Foundation and member of the National Planning Commission)

5. "I remember the feeling of excitement and exhilaration as we took the field for the opening match of the 1996 African Cup of Nations. I feel a similar sense of excitement when I learn of the plan to focus on football development. The successful implementation of the SAFA Technical Plan will create a rich talent pool that will ensure that future generations experience the same feeling as we did when we went on to lift the Cup in that 1996 tournament."

Neil Tovey, (Captain of the South African winning team at the African Cup of Nations 1996)

6. "I played a lot of my career in the UK and have always been impressed by the development structures that can produce the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott. It is vital that South Africa places a very strong focus on development and it is excellent that it is going to be the focus of a dedicated Development Agency."

Lucas Radebe, (South Africa icon footballer and member of the South African winning team at AFCON 1996)

7. "SAFA is blessed to have had an individual like Dr Petersen to lead the team through what have been very challenging times. Having set the organisation back on track we truly appreciate that he has agreed to focus on establishing the technical foundation for a successful future for South African football."

Kirsten Nematandani (SAFA President)

8. "Life continues to be a journey of exploration and I am really looking forward to help create the technical foundation for the future of South Africa as a great footballing Nation."

Dr. Robin Petersen (SAFA CEO)

9. "SAFA has been through a lot of challenges over the last few years but I truly believe that the turnaround strategy driven by Dr Petersen will put the organisation back on track. It is now my challenge to turn strategy into successful implementation and I am confident that the Leadership team can do that; but first we need to support the LOC in hosting AFCON 2013."

Dennis Mumble (SAFA COO)

1. "Football is the barometer of the health of the South African Nation Brand. We need to have winning teams and to achieve this we have to have the systems and processes in place to develop the talent pipeline. The establishment of the SAFA Development Agency and the deployment of SAFA CEO Dr Robin Petersen to drive it, gives a great degree of reassurance to corporate South Africa whom I hope will back this initiative all the way."

Bobby Godsell (Chair, BLSA and Patron of the SAFA Development Trust)

2. "SAB have been involved with South African football for many years. The establishment of the Development Agency takes football development to a new level and provides an excellent vehicle for SAB to strengthen its relationship with the game."

Vincent Maphai (Head of Corporate Affairs, SAB Millar SA and Patron of the SAFA Development Trust)

3. "The Department of Sport and Recreation has recently published the National Sports Plan, and we are delighted that SAFA has taken the lead in developing its own Technical Master Plan that aligns with our initiative. The launch of the Development Agency by SAFA, and the deployment of Dr Petersen to head it up, gives us hope that there will be focused implementation from the country's biggest sporting code. Also be advised that the Department will be hosting a MINMEC on Tuesday, 11th December 2012 and that SAFA will be invited to do a 15 Minute presentation on the Technical Master Plan."

The Right Honourable Gert Oosthuizen, Deputy Minister of Sports and Recreation

4. "The Mapungubwe Institute (MISTRA) has just released a research report on the development of football in South Africa, which resonates with SAFA's endeavours. The road to a South African football renaissance will be protracted; because for consistent and enduring excellence, there is no instant gratification - glory comes with plodding industry."

Joel Netshitenze (Chair of the Mapungubwe Foundation and member of the National Planning Commission)

5. "I remember the feeling of excitement and exhilaration as we took the field for the opening match of the 1996 African Cup of Nations. I feel a similar sense of excitement when I learn of the plan to focus on football development. The successful implementation of the SAFA Technical Plan will create a rich talent pool that will ensure that future generations experience the same feeling as we did when we went on to lift the Cup in that 1996 tournament."

Neil Tovey, (Captain of the South African winning team at the African Cup of Nations 1996)

6. "I played a lot of my career in the UK and have always been impressed by the development structures that can produce the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott. It is vital that South Africa places a very strong focus on development and it is excellent that it is going to be the focus of a dedicated Development Agency."

Lucas Radebe, (South Africa icon footballer and member of the South African winning team at AFCON 1996)

7. "SAFA is blessed to have had an individual like Dr Petersen to lead the team through what have been very challenging times. Having set the organisation back on track we truly appreciate that he has agreed to focus on establishing the technical foundation for a successful future for South African football."

Kirsten Nematandani (SAFA President)

8. "Life continues to be a journey of exploration and I am really looking forward to help create the technical foundation for the future of South Africa as a great footballing Nation."

Dr. Robin Petersen (SAFA CEO)

9. "SAFA has been through a lot of challenges over the last few years but I truly believe that the turnaround strategy driven by Dr Petersen will put the organisation back on track. It is now my challenge to turn strategy into successful implementation and I am confident that the Leadership team can do that; but first we need to support the LOC in hosting AFCON 2013."

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